Orthopedic appliance having detachable fastening means

ABSTRACT

An orthopedic appliance includes a pad member adapted to hold the appliance onto a limb, such as a human leg or arm, which pad is readily removable from the appliance and easily installed on it. In a highly preferred structure the pad has fastened to it a plurality of channel or similar members adapted to hold it to brace portions of the orthopedic device in proper position when the pad is laced or otherwise fastened about the limb. Yet, although the pad can be removed readily for washing it will not fall off the appliance, even when the orthopedic device is not held to the limb. Also, it may be readily reinstalled on the appliance without the need for snapping, tying or similarly fastening it into place on the appliance parts.

United States Patent [191 Pecorella Aug. 6, 1974 1 1 ORTHOPEDICAPPLIANCE HAVING DETACHABLE FASTENING MEANS [22] Filed: Apr. 3, 1972[21] Appl. No.: 334,911

152] US. Cl 128/80 F, 128/83 [51 Int. Cl. A611 3/00 Field of Search.....128/80 F, 80 B, 80 A, 80 R, 128/80 E, 80 G, 80 H, 80 J, 83, 84, 85, 87,

Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Raymond F. Kramer [5 7 ABSTRACT An orthopedic applianceincludes a pad member adapted to hold the appliance onto a limb, such asa human leg or arm, which pad is readily removable from the applianceand easily installed on it. In a highly preferred structure the pad hasfastened to it a plurality of channel or similar members adapted to holdit to brace portions of the orthopedic device in proper position whenthe pad is laced or otherwise fastened about the limb. Yet, although thepad can be removed readily for washing it will not fall off theappliance, even when the orthopedic device is not held to the limb.Also, it may be readily reinstalled on the appliance without the needfor snapping, tying or similarly fastening it into place on theappliance parts.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCE HAVING DETACHABLEFASTENING MEANS This invention relates to orthopedic appliances havingreadily removable pads to facilitate pad replacements and launderingsand to make polishing of the appliance parts easier. More particularly,the invention is of pads having certain fastening or attachment meansfor removably holding them to appliance braces firmly enough for normaluse and yet readily removable from the braces, such fastening meansbeing easy to manufacture, of simple and economical construction, strongand readily cleaned.

Orthopedic appliances, such as braces for legs and arms, have beenbrought to an improved stage of development in recent years. Materialsof construction, such as alloy steels and light metals, such as aluminumand magnesium alloys, have been made light in weight, yet exceedinglystrong. Joints have been produced which hold positively and whichsupport the wearers weight without fail. However, although some pads,sleeves or other means of attachment of the braces to the limb andcushioning it have been suggested which could be removed from thebraces, most commercial braces have such pads or cushions firmly held tothem, usually by rivets. These permanently attached pads are difficultto clean and some sections of the pads, adjacent to the braces, cannotever be cleaned satisfactorily. In cases wherein the orthopedicappliances are employed by incontinent users, sanitary problems maydevelop and malodors frequently result. The production of rust or otherproducts of corrosion at the rivets or in snaps, sometimes used tofasten pads or sleeves to braces, is prevented by the presentconstructions. Thus, stains and allergic reactions to the corrosionchemicals are obviated. The means of affixation of the pads to thebraces are themselves readily cleaned and are readily removable from thebraces. Upon removal from the appliance the pads may be washed, daubed,brushed, dusted, sanitized or otherwise treated and the remaining braceparts, free of the pads, may be easily washed or polished. Theseadvantages are obtained, in a preferred form of the invention, by havingchannels fastened to the exteriors of the pads and adapted to engage intight relationship with the braces upon lacing or otherwise tighteningof the pads or sleeves about the limb being strengthened. No specialjoinder of the fastening means to-the braces need be effected.

In accordance with the present invention, an orthopedic appliancecomprises a plurality of substantially longitudinally extending bracemembers, a pad adapted to hold such brace members in position adjacentand substantially parallel to a limb, said pad being interposed betweenthe brace members and the limb to cushion the limb against irritatingcontact with the brace members, and passing substantially around thelimb, plural fastening means on the exterior of the pad held in place onit, each of which is adapted to fit a portion of each of the respectivebrace members and transversely slidably to engage with such a bracemember and be brought into tight contact with such a member when the padis tightened about the limb, and means for tightening the pad about thelimb, so that the orthopedic appliance is firmly held to the limb. Theinvention also relates to the pad for the orthopedic appliance, adaptedto be removably fastened to brace members of such appliance and holdthem in position adjacent to and substantially parallel to a limb, whichpad is so shaped as to fit about a limb, with longitudinal (with respectto the limb) edges which are tightenable about the limb so that the padis fastenable firmly to it, interposed between the limb and the bracemembers, and plural fastening means on the exterior of the pad and heldin place on it, each of which includes means adapted to fit a portion ofeach of the respective brace members of the appliance and transverselyslidably to engage with the brace members and be brought into tightcontact with such a member when the pad is tightened about the limb.

The invention will be readily understood from reference to the followingdescription, taken together with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a two-section leg brace appliancehinged for folding at a central or (knee) part, equipped with upper andlower pads adapted to protect the leg from contact with the braces andto hold the appliance to the leg;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along plane 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along plane 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the upper or thigh pad of FIG. 1,showing the fastening means thereon;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the lower or shank pad of FIG. 1;and

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the pad of FIG. 3, showing thepressing away of the pad from surrounding or connecting portions whichhold the braces together, so that the channel fastening means may bereadily disconnected from the braces to remove the pad from theappliance.

In FIG. 1 the orthopedic appliance 11 illustrated is a leg brace butsimilar constructions and modified ver sions thereof may be employed forportions of the leg or for use in strengthening and treating the arm.Braces 13 and 15 include upper portions 17 and 19 and lower portions 21and 23, respectively, held together by hinge mechanisms 25 and 27. Stops29 and 31 limit movements of the upper and lower brace portions. Lock 33is a sliding member adapted to fit over projection 35 of lower braceportion 13 and maintain the brace 11 in operating position or to slideoff the projection and allow bending of the brace. Brace members 13 and15 are joined together by a plurality of connecting means 37, 39, 41 and43. Such connecting means, as illustrated, are stainless steel or alloymetal strips curved to conform to the shape of the limb adjacent tothem. They pass a substantial distance about the limb, usually abouthalf-way around it, in smooth curves. As shown, the connecting means areriveted near ends thereof to the longitudinally extending brace members,which are also preferably of stainless steel or other metal alloy ofsufficient strength. Instead of utilizing rivets 45, flat screws andthreaded portions may be substituted or other sufficiently strongfastening means may be employed. At the bottom of lower brace members 21and 23 are illustrated holes 47 and 49 for affixation of means forfastening the brace to a shoe or otherwise to or under a foot.

The brace mechanism previously described, in ordinary practice wouldhave pad or sleeve means for fastening it to the human limb, which padmeans would be permanently held to the brace members or the connectingmeans which hold such brace members together in desired longitudinal(with respect to the limb) relationship. Such permanent fastening meansare normally rivets, which, it has been noted, being of soft and morereactive metals than the major brace parts, chemically react withperspiration, moisture and body salts to produce corrosion productswhich stain the skin and clothing and sometimes cause allergicreactions. It has always been a difficult job to clean such pads andrivets satisfactorily. Accordingly, in the present invention there areprovided means for holding the pad to the appliance when desired, whileyet allowing ready removal therefrom without the necessity of unscrewingor unsnapping fasteners or of removing rivets. Upper pad 51 and lowerpad 53 each comprise sleeve-like or substantially cylindrical portions55 and 57 which are shaped to conform with the limb being enclosed andwith the connecting means, e.g., 37, 39, 41 and 43, holding the bracesin position and passing about the rear portions of the limb. Pads 51 and53 normally comprise leather outer portions 59 and 61 and may includesofter fleecy,

flannel or other cloth cushioning inner portions 63 and 65. Instead ofsuch materials of construction, others may be employed such as plasticsbut generally care will be exercised in selecting the material ofconstruction to avoid those which do not aid in evaporating perspirationor which are irritating to the skin. On the exteriors of the pad membersthere are affixed fastening means 67 and 69 on the upper or thigh padand 71 and 73 on the lower or shank pad. As illustrated, such fasteningmeans are held to the pad by rivets 75 and 76, which are flattened tosmooth surfaces where they pierce the pad and contact the leg. Insteadof rivets, other fastening means may be employed, e.g., extremelyflat-headed screws, and when the affixing means are movable, as in thecase of screws, an additional advantage with respect to cleaning may beobtained in that the fastening means (herein illustrated as channels)may also be removed when the pad is to be cleaned. As illustrated, thefastening means are fairly flat channels adapted to have the interiorportion thereof fit around the substantially flat brace members with atotal clearance between channel interior walls and brace exterior wallsof about 0.020 to 0.050 inch, and preferably from 0.030 to 0.035 inch.At the ends of the fastening means, where they are prevented from makingexcessive longitudinal movements by contacts with the curved connectingmeans which hold the braces in position, the clearances are usually from1/16 to A inch total, preferably /2 to 1 inch. Such clearances allow thefastening channel or other shaped holder to be moved in and out ofposition readily withoutundue play being allowed in the braces. Thechannels illustrated are of stainless steel, aluminum or suitable alloysbut other materials of construction may be employed, including, insuitable cases, reinforced plastics. Also, different shaped channels orequivalent structures may be utilized, including Us and angles, portionsof tubes, Z-bends or S-curves, etc., providing that they are affixableto the pad andare adapted to press against and hold to the brace whenthe pad is tightened about the'limb to which the brace is held.Furthermore, such constructions should not require any other action tohold the pad in place on the brace than the ultimate tightening of thepad onto the limb. The fastening means should be brought against thebrace by such tightening action.

The means for tightening the pad on the limb at open ends orlongitudinal edges 77 and 79 may be a plurality of eyelets 81 and 83, inconjunction with laces 85 and 87. Instead of lace fastenings, othersuitable fastening means may also be utilized, including snaps, zippers,elastic means, buckles, straps, ties, hooks and eyes, and Velcro orsimilar mini-hook fastening means.

Although FIG. 1 is an excellent illustration of an orthopedic applianceembodying the removable pad of this invention, some details of the padare better shown in additional sectional views, F IGSS. 2 and 3, andfront elevations, FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 3, the circled portion is thatshown in FIG. 6, wherein it is illustrated how a pad is pressed awayfrom the connecting means so as to allow enough slack for the channel orother fastening means to be moved transversely backward with respect tothe brace, to remove it from the brace. Without such pressing forward ofthe pad, which is easily effected, difficulty could be encountered inreleasing the channels from the brace. This is a useful feature of thepresent invention because the conforming of the pad to the connectingportions of the appliances prevents accidental release of the pad fromthe appliance when it is not being used. Of course, the pad is ofsufficient strength and resiliency so that it maintains its shape andholds the channel in position unless additional forces are imposed. FIG.6 illustrates the mechanism of removal of the pad from the brace.

In use, the pads may be readily positioned on the orthopedic applianceby placing one channel against its brace portion, positioning the restof the pad, bending it in a manner such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 andplacing the other channel about the other brace, after which the bend inthe pad is smoothed out. The pad will then conform with the connectingmembers and the limb portion about which it is to be fastened. Afterplacement of the other pad, the brace may be positioned on the leg andthe pads may be laced tight, after which the brace may be locked inposition, ready for use. Removal of the appliance from the leg is justas easy, as are removals of the pads from the braces. Such removals maybe effected for washing purposes, to polish the appliance, to substitutea different or more comfortable or tighter pad, or to change to cleaneror dressier pads or pads of different designs. Thus, in the cases ofchildren using these braces, some pads may be employed for play andothers for more formal occasions. For bathing or swimming plastic padsmay be used to save the leather from being water damaged. The easyinterchangeability of the pads makes it feasible to wash them morefrequently than would be the case with those riveted to the braces andtime would otherwise have to be allowed for drying, during which timesthe braces could not be used.

The positive holding of the fastening means onto the brace members issuperior to the use of snaps or other devices and the channel holds thebrace tightly to the limb, the clearances given not allowingobjectionable movement. The pad holds the brace members substantiallyparallel or exactly parallel to the limb and is interposed between themand the limb to cushion the limb against irritating contact with thebrace. The pad passes substantially around the limb to hold the brace toit and although the means for fastening the pad to the brace aretransversely movable or slidable with respect to the brace to engage it,they are brought into tight contact with the brace member when the padis tightened about the limb by the laces or other tightening means. Inthe embodiment of the invention illustrated, single continuous channelshave been used to join the pad onto the brace but interrupted or pluralchannels or other fastening means of the described types may also beemployed. The pads shown extend beyond the means connecting the bracemembers and fold back over these in part but this is not necessary solong as they cushion the brace members against contact with the skin ofthe limb to which the brace is held. In the drawing the uppermostconnecting means is at the upper ends of the braces. While this is apreferred position, it is not required. The connecting means serve asthe stops to prevent undue longitudinal movement of the channels andpads with respect to the braces but other such stops may also beprovided, instead.

As shown, the orthopedic appliance is suitable for use on the human legand is especially adaptable to strengthen the knee joint or substitutefor its action. It should be clear that it is not required that aplurality of pads be employed nor is it required that the appliance beutilized on the human leg. It or modifications are also applicable tothe human arm and to animal limbs. If desired, additional channels orother fasteners may be longitudinally positioned on the pads so that thepads may be utilized with different types of braces or may be adjustablefor use on different sized limbs.

The invention has been described with respect to illustrations anddescriptions thereof but it is not to be considered as limited to thesebecause those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to utilizeequivalents and substitutes for elements of the described structureswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An orthopedic appliance which comprises a plurality of substantiallylongitudinally extending brace members, a pad for holding such bracemembers in position adjacent and substantially parallel to a limb, saidpad being interposed between the brace members and the limb to cushionthe limb against irritating contact with the brace members and adaptedto pass substantially around the limb, plural open ended fastening meanson the exterior of the pad held in place on it, each of which fasteningmeans fits a portion of each of the respective brace members and istranversely slidably engageable with such a brace member by relativemovement of the brace members into the fastening means past the open endthereof, so as to be brought into fastening relationship with such amember when the pad is tightened about the limb, and is readilydisengageable therefrom by reverse relative movement when the pad isloosened with respect to the limb, and means for tightening the padabout the limb, so that the orthopedic appliance may be firmly held tothe limb.

2. An orthopedic appliance according to claim 1 in which the pluralityof substantially longitudinally extending brace members is a pair ofsuch members held together at an end thereof by connecting means, saidconnecting means being adapted to pass around a substantial proportionof a limb, the plural fastening means on the pad exteriors are two suchmeans firmly fastened to the pad and stop means are provided to preventsaid plural fastening means from moving longitudinally along the bracemeans and out of desired position.

3. An orthopedic appliance according to claim 2 wherein the pluralfastening means on the exterior of the pad adapted to fit the bracemembers are positioned against excessive longitudinal movement betweenconnecting means which pass around about half of the limb.

4. An orthopedic appliance according to claim 3 adapted for use over thethigh, knee and shank portions of a leg which comprises plural pads andfastening means on the exteriors of the pads, one of which such pads isadapted for being fastened onto the thigh and another of which isadapted for fastening onto the shank of a leg.

5. An orthopedic appliance according to claim 4 wherein the fasteningmeans on the pad exteriors are metal channels riveted to the pads, thepads are of leather, the clearances between the channel interiors andthe braces total 0.020 to 0.050 inch, the clearances between thechannels and stops at the ends thereof are between 1/16 and A inch totaland when the channels are in place against the brace when the pad istightened about the leg, the pad conforms with the shapes of thebrace-connecting means, which are shaped to conform with the curvaturesof the leg against which they are positioned.

6. An orthopedic appliance according to claim 1 wherein the bracemembers are connected by rigid members which pass approximately half wayaround a limb and which are located near the ends of the pad, the pluralfastening means on the exterior of the pad are restricted inlongitudinal movement by said connecting members and the pad conforms tothe shape of the connecting members and cushions the limb and preventsit from contacting such members so that when the fastening means are inplace on the brace members the resiliency of the pad pressing againstthe connecting members holds the fastening means against the bracemembers, preventing accidental release of the pad therefrom.

7. An orthopedic appliance according to claim 1 wherein the fasteningmeans on the pad exteriors are channels held to the pads and the padsare of leather, plastic or cloth.

8. A pad for an orthopedic appliance, removably fastenable to bracemembers of such appliance so as to hold them in position adjacent to andsubstantially parallel to a limb, so shaped as to fit about a limb andbe tightenable about the limb so that the pad is fastenable firmly to itinterposed between the limb and the brace members, and plural open endedfastening means on the exterior of the pad and held in place on it, eachof which fits a portion of each of the respective brace members of theappliance and is transversely engageable with such brace member so as tobe brought into fastening relationship with it when the pad is tightenedabout the limb.

9. A pad according to claim 8 wherein the fastening means on the padexterior are metal channels riveted to the pad, the pad is of leather,the clearances between the channel interiors and the braces againstwhich they are adapted to fit are of 0.020 to 0.050 inch total, theclearances between the channels and stop members on or joined to thebraces are between 1/16 and inch total and the pad conforms with shapedconnecting means between the braces, which means are shaped to conformwith the curvature of a leg against which the pad is positioned so thatthe resiliency of the pad pressing against the connecting members holdsthe fastening means against the brace members, preventing accidentalrelease of the pad therefrom when it is not fastened tightly about thelimb.

10. A pad according to claim 8 wherein the fastening means on the padexterior are channels held to the pad and the pad is of leather, plasticor cloth.

1. An orthopedic appliance which comprises a plurality of substantiallylongitudinally extending brace members, a pad for holding such bracemembers in position adjacent and substantially parallel to a limb, saidpad being interposed between the brace members and the limb to cushionthe limb against irritating contact with the brace members and adaptedto pass substantially around the limb, plural open ended fastening meanson the exterior of the pad held in place on it, each of which fasteningmeans fits a portion of each of the respective brace members and istranversely slidably engageable with such a brace member by relativemovement of the brace members into the fastening means past the open endthereof, so as to be brought into fastening relationship with such amember when the pad is tightened about the limb, and is readilydisengageable therefrom by reverse relative movement when the pad isloosened with respect to the limb, and means for tightening the padabout the limb, so that the orthopedic appliance may be firmly held tothe limb.
 2. An orthopedic appliance according to claim 1 in which theplurality of substantially longitudinally extending brace members is apair of such members held together at an end thereof by connectingmeans, said connecting means being adapted to pass around a substantialproportion of a limb, the plural fastening means on the pad exteriorsare two such means firmly fastened to the pad and stop means areprovided to prevent said plural fastening means from movinglongitudinally along the brace means and out of desired position.
 3. Anorthopedic appliance according to claim 2 wherein the plural fasteningmeans on the exterior of the pad adapted to fit the brace members arepositioned against excessive longitudinal movement between connectingmeans which pass around about half of the limb.
 4. An orthopedicappliance according to claim 3 adapted for use over the thigh, knee andshank portions of a leg which comprises plural pads and fastening meanson the exteriors of the pads, one of which such pads is adapted forbeing fastened onto the thigh and another of which is adapted forfastening onto the shank of a leg.
 5. An orthopedic appliance accordingto claim 4 wherein the fastening means on the pad exteriors are metalchannels riveted to the pads, the pads are of leather, the clearancesbetween the channel interiors and the braces total 0.020 to 0.050 inch,the clearances between the channels and stops at the ends thereof arebetween 1/16 and 1/4 inch total and when the channels are in placeagainst the brace when the pad is tightened about the leg, the padconforms with the shapes of the brace-connecting means, which are shapedto conform with the curvatures of the leg against which they arepositioned.
 6. An orthopedic appliance according to claim 1 wherein thebrace members are connected by rigid members which pass approximatelyhalf way around a limb and which are located near the ends of the pad,the plural fastening means on the exterior of the pad are restricted inlongitudinal movement by said connecting members and the pad conforms tothe shape of the connecting members and cushions the limb and preventsit from contacting such members so that when the fastening means are inplace on the brace members the resiliency of the pad pressing againstthe connecting members holds the fastening means against the bracemembers, preventing accidental release of the pad therefrom.
 7. Anorthopedic appliance according to claim 1 wherein the fastening means onthe pad exteriors are channels held to the pads and the pads are ofleather, plastic or cloth.
 8. A pad for an orthopedic appliance,removably fastenable to brace members of such appliance so as to holdthem in position adjacent to and substantially parallel to a limb, soshaped as to fit about a limb and be tightenable about the limb so thatthe pad is fastenable firmly to it interposed between the limb and thebrace members, and plural open ended fastening means on the exterior ofthe pad and held in place on it, each of which fits a portion of each ofthe respective brace members of the appliance and is transverselyengageable with such brace member so as to be brought into fasteningrelationship with it when the pad is tightened about the limb.
 9. A padaccording to claim 8 wherein the fastening means on the pad exterior aremetal channels riveted to the pad, the pad is of leather, the clearancesbetween the channel interiors and the braces against which they areadapted to fit are of 0.020 to 0.050 inch total, the clearances betweenthe channels and stop members on or joined to the braces are between1/16 and 1/4 inch total and the pad conforms with shaped connectingmeans between the braces, which means are shaped to conform with thecurvature of a leg against which the pad is positioned so that theresiliency of the pad pressing against the connecting members holds thefastening means against the brace members, preventing accidental releaseof the pad therefrom when it is not fastened tightly about the limb. 10.A pad according to claim 8 wherein the fastening means on the padexterior are channels held to the pad and the pad is of leather, plasticor cloth.